Brace for supplementary vehicle-springs.



W. YOUNG. BRAGE FOR SUPPLEMENTARY VEHICLE SPRINGS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1906.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

g "LE! 5 W. YOUNG.

BRAOE ron SUPPLEMENTARY VEHICLE srnmes. I

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1906.

Witnesses:

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFTGE.

WILLIAM YOUNG, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURLASSIGNOR TO SUPPLEMENTARY SPIRAL SPRING COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

BRACE FOR SUEPLEll/IENTARY VEHICLE-SPRINGS.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that l, VVILLIAM YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Braces for Supplementary Vehicle Springs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to braces for supplementary vehicle springs of the kind described in the copending application of Samuel Furmidge filed November 16, 1904, Serial No. 232,934. Said Furmidge supplementary springs have been found highly valuable in actual use in the forms illustrated and described in the above-mentioned application, and the purpose of my invention is still further to improve same.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming part of same, in which like numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on a smaller scale, showing. the supplementary spring in place relative to an automobile;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation on the same scale as Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top plan view; Fig. 5 is a top plan view with the top bolt removed; Fig. 6 is a front elevation showing my brace on a modification of the supplementary spring; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same; and 8 is a bottom plan view thereof.

The automobile body 1 has suitably attached thereto and de ending therefrom the curved bracket 2, W iich curves upwardly and encircles the cross-bolt 3, being in pivotal connection therewith. Connected fixedly with said cross-bolt 3, which has at one end the square head or shoulder 4, is the helical spring 5, which at its upper end is enlarged into an eyelet receiving the bolt 3. The other end of the bolt 3 is screw-threaded and passes through an eyelet at the up or end of the twin helical spring 6, and is he d in that position by the nut 7. The pair of helical springs 5 and 6 are fixed at their bases in as rigid a manner as possible to the pair of vertical bolts 8 and 9, which are curved inwardly at their tops and enlarged to form eyelets 10, through which the upper crossbolt 11 asses. The cross-bolt 11 holds the leaf spring 12 in pivotal connection therewith, the end of the spring 12 encircling said bolt. At their lower ends the bolts 8 and 9 are tied together by the plate 13, which has Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 24, 1905.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Serial No. 238,899.

perforations therethrough for the passage of said bolts. Beneath said plate 13 are the eyes 14 of the braces 15, which press said plate closely against the lowest and smallest wind of the springs 5 and 6, being forced into that connection by the nuts 16 thereunder. Superimposed upon said lowest winds of the springs 5 and 6 is an additional palr of nuts 17 between whichand the nuts 16 the lower portion of the springs 5 and 6 is held clamped. This holds the lower portion of the springs 5 and 6 very rigid, and, also, ties them together by means of the plate 13. The lowest wind of each of the helical springs 5 and 6 is made so small that the opening through its center will just allow the passage of the bolts 8 and 9.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the weight is put upon the automobile body 1, the spring 2, fastened to the bolt 3, will tend to compress the pair of helical springs 5 and 6. This weight will in turn be communicated by means of the vertical bolts 8 and 9 to the leaf spring 12 connected to the bolt 11. Thus, when the sen1i-elliptic spring 12 flattens out and becomes longer, the bolt 11 will be moved backward to accommodate the extension of the spring 12.

My invention may be used also on the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In these figures the bolts 8 and 9 are shown as shortened and held by their heads 18 against the lowest winds of the springs 5. Around the portion of said bolts 8 and 9 that projects beneath said springs 5 eyelets 19 on the ends of the side hangers 2O encircle, and the hangers 20 are secured to the bolt 11 in the same manner as the bolts 8 and 9 are in the principal figures.

Each brace is provided with an eye 14 at its base, and with another eye 21 at its top running at substantially a right angle to the eye 14. The bolts 8 and 9 pass through the eyes 14, while the bolt 11 passes through the eyes 21. The braces 15 are substantially, but not exactly, ovoid or elliptical in form, so as to provide clearance between same and the exterior of the helical springs 5 and 6.

Clearance is provided, also, between the interior of said helical springs and the bolts 8 and 9 (in the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 5) and between said helical springs and the hanger (in the form illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8). As great weights are imposed upon these supplementary springs, and as they are subjected to terrific strain when in use, particularly when the vehicle to which they are attached is turning a corner, there is a tendency on the part of the leaf spring 12 to pull them out of shape and unduly to strain same, owing to their fixed, though pivoted, relation to the bracket or hanger 2 by means of bolt 3, and their capacity for movement when pulled or pushed by the strain of leaf spring 12 on bolt 11. In this way, springs unprovided with my brace have a tendency to turn over, and have been known to do so in practical use. By this is meant that, wl'ien a great weight is put upon the leaf spring 12, it exerts a strain upon bolt 11 which pulls bolts 8 and 9 unduly forward at their upper ends and presses them unduly backward at their lower ends, thus distorting helical springs 5 and 6 from their proper shape and from that shape in which they yield the greatest resilience. Moreover, side-motion when turning corners results, which strains the entire device laterally. All these objections are obviated by my brace.

My invention preferably takes the form of a pair of braces 15, which are rigidly attached to the lowest winds of the helical springs 5 and 6 by bolts 8 and 9, and rigidly attached, also, to bolt 11 in the sense that they will prevent its undue play forward or backward. This is true notwithstanding that the bolt 11 passes more or less loosely through the eyes 21. This loose connection allows of just so much movement in the various parts of the device as to prevent an immediate tight strain, but the arrangement of each brace in the form of an arm extending from each side of eye 21, said arms being integral with each other and being rigidly attached to the helical springs 5 and 6 by their eye 1 1, gives great solidity and rigidity to the device as a whole, and prevents side motion, straining, and turning over, and reduces vibration. The braces 15 being each composed of an integral (or, at least, rigid) member, which is in rigid or tight connection with the helical spring 5 or 6 to which it belongs, and thereby in tight connection with the bolts 8 and 9 (or hangers 20), and said bolts 8 and 9 (or hangers 20) being so connected to bolt 11 as to be immovable forward or backward except with bolt 11, and as the latter is held in rigid relation to the base of the helical springs 5 and 6 by the brace 15, which, as aforesaid, is in rigid connection with said helical springs, it follows that bolt 11 will yield forward or backward only as the helical springs 5 and 6 permit, which is to only an inconsiderable degree, as same are constructed in a strong, stiff, and comparatively unyielding manner. Moreover, by reason of the cross-connections between the two braces, said helical springs work as a pair, and prevent the yielding of the bolt 11 until both said springs have been overcome. The result is that false 1nove ments of parts of the device are eliminated, and maximum resilience is obtained from said helical springs.

Having thus'described my said invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters- Patent is:

1. A rigid brace for a supplementary vehicle spring composed of a pair of arms and a pair of cross-pieces connecting same, said cross-pieces containing openings by which said brace is attached to the device to be braced, the opening in one of said cross-pieces being in a different vertical plane from the opening in the other.

2. A brace for supplementary vehicle springs composed of a pair of arms and a pair of cross-pieces connecting same, said crosspieces containing openings by which said brace is attached to the device to be braced, the openings in one of said cross pieces being at approximately a right angle to the opening in the other.

3. A brace for a supplementary vehicle spring comprising a pair of parallel members 1n fixed connection with another pair of parallel members, and means in the brace for connecting same to said spring, said second pair of members being obliquely connected by said first-mentioned pair.

4. A brace for a supplementary vehicle spring comprising a pair of parallel members in fixed connection with another pair of parallel members, and means in the brace for connecting same to said spring, said second pair of members being so connected together by said first-mentioned pair that the former occupy different vertical as well as different horizontal planes with relation to each other.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring, means for connecting same to the vehicle body, separate means for connecting same to the leaf spring, a third means for connecting the last mentioned means to the end of the hel' al spring opposite said first-mentioned means, and a brace connected to said. end of said. helical spring and, also, to said second-melt tioned means.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring, means for connecting same to the vehicle body, separate means for connecting same to the leaf spring, a third means for connecting the last mentioned means to the end of the helical spring opposite said first-mentioned means, and a brace connected to said end of said helical spring and, also, to said second-mentioned means, said brace encircling said helical spring.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring, means for connecting same to the vehicle body, separate means for connecting same to the leaf spring, a third means for connecting the lastmentioned means to the end of the helical spring opposite said first-mentioned means, and a brace connected to said end of said helical spring and, also, to said second-mentioned means, said brace encircling said helical spring and leaving a clearance between same and the brace.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring, means for connecting same to the vehicle body, separate means for connecting same to the leaf spring, a third means for connecting the lastmentioned means to the end of the helical spring opposite said first-mentioned means,

and a brace connected to said end of said helical spring and, also, to said second-mom tioned means, said brace encircling said helical spring and leaving a clearance between same and the brace, and said brace having eyes at its ends, through which, respectively, said secondanentioned and third-mentioned means pass.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring, a vertical bolt within same and attached to one end thereof, a pair of horizontal bolts located at the opposite end, one of same affording means of attachment to the vehicle body and the other to the leaf spring, and a brace having eyes, through one of which the vertical bolt passes and through the other of which the second -mentioned of said horizontal bolts passes.

10. In a device of the character described,

, the combination of a helical spring, a hanger for attaching same to the leaf spring, said hanger being in rigid connection with one end of said helical spring, a brace also in rigid connection at the same point with both, said brace being in quasi rigid connection with the other end of said hanger.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of helical springs, a pair of hangers therefor, means connected to said hangers for attaching same to the leaf spring, means connected to one end of said helical springs for attaching same to vehicle body, and a pair of braces connected to said first-mentioned means and in rigid connection with one end of said helical springs.

12-. In a device of the character described,

.the combination of a pair of helical springs, a

pair of hangers therefor, means connected to said hangers for attaching same to the leaf spring, means connected to one end of said helical springs for attaching same to the vehicle body, and a pair of braces connected to said first-mentioned means and in rigid connection with one end of said helical springs and with said hangers at the end opposite said first-mentioned means.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of helical springs, a pair of hangers therefor, means between same for attaching same to the leaf spring, means between said helical springs at one end for attaching same to the vehicle body, said hangers having eyes encircling said firstmentioned means, and braces also having eyes encircling said means and in rigid con nection with said hangers at the opposite end.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring connected at one end to the vehicle body, a hanger therefor rigidly connected to the other end thereof, and a brace rigidly connected to said hanger at said end and also to said helical spring at the same end, and being, also, at its other end in practically immovable relation either forward y or backwardly or upwardly and downwardly with regard to the opposite end of said hanger.

15. A brace for a supplementary vehicle spring comprising a pair of parallel members connected by another pair of parallel members, and eyes in said first pair of parallel members for connecting said brace to said spring, said second pair of members being so connected together by said first-mentioned pair that the former occupy different vertical as well as different horizontal planes with relation to each other.

16. A brace for a supplementary vehicle spring comprising a pair of parallel members connected by another pair of parallel members, and eyes in said iirst pair of parallel members for connecting said brace to said spring, the eye in one of said members being at right angles to the eye in the other of said members.

17. A brace for a supplementary vehicle spring comprising a pair of parallel members connected by another pair of parallel members, and means in the brace for connecting same to said spring, said second pair of members being so connected together by said first-mentioned pair that the former occupy different vertical as well as horizontal planes with relation to each other, said pairs of parallel members being integral.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring, a bolt affording means for attachment to the aXle, a hanger and a brace, each having eyes througl'i which said bolt passes, and means for holding said brace, said hanger, and one end of said spring in rigid engagement, the other end of said spring affording means for attachment to the vehicle body.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination of a helical spring, a bolt affording means for attachment to the axle,

a hanger and a brace, each having eyes through which said bolt passes, said hanger being placed partly within said spring, and means for holding said brace, said hanger, and one end of said spring in rigid engagement, the other end of said spring affording means for attachment to the vehicle body.

20. In combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, and a brace in connection therewith, said brace comprising an integral frame which encircles the aux iliary spring, said frame having an eye at one end through which it is connected to said. auxiliary spring, and an eye in the other end through which it is connected to the main spring.

21. A brace for a supplementary vehicle spring composed of a pair of side-members and a pair of cross-members, all integrally united together to form a single bracennemher, and means in. the brace for connecting same to said spring, said cross-members being obliquely connected by said side-members.

In combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring inteunediate said main spring and said vehicle and in pivotal connection with said spring, and a member comprising an integral frame surrounding said auxiliary spring and connecting same to the main spring.

23. in combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary helical spring, means for connecting one end of said helical spring to the vehicle, and an integral frame surrounding said auxiliary spring and connecting the end opposite the first-mentioned end of same to the main spring.

24. In combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, and a pair of members connecting said auxiliary spring to said main spring, one of said members comprising an integral frame which encircles the auxiliary spring.

25. In combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, and a pair of members connecting said auxiliary spring to said main spring, one of said members comprising an integral frame which encircles the auxiliary spring, said other member extending from the main spring to the point of engagement of the auxiliary spring and said spring-encircling member.

. 26. in combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, and a pair of members connecting said auxiliary spring to said main spring, one of said members comprising an intergal frame which encircles the auxiliary spring and is in connection therewith and with the main spring, said other member extending from the main spring to the point of engagement of the auxiliary spring and said spring-encircling member.

27. In combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, one end of said auxiliary spring being in connection with the so 1,7e7

vehicle, and an integral frame encircling said auxiliary spring and connecting same to main spring, and being connected to the end of said auxiliary spring opposite the lirstmentioned end thereof.

in conircinaticn with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary sning intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, and a brace for said auxiliary spring, said brace comprising a member approxin'iately elliptical in shape attached at its bottom and top to the auxiliary spring to be braced, and connected at its top with the main spring also.

2. brace fora supplementary vehicle spring composed of a pair of side-111cm rs and a pair of cross-memhers, all integrally united to form a single braceenembcr, said cross-members containing openings by which said brace-member is attached to the device to be braced.

30. A brace for a supplementary vehicle spring composed of a pair of sidc-n'iemhcrs and a pair of cross-members, all integrally united together to form a single bracceneinher, said cross-member containing openings by which said brace member is at achcd 1c the device to be braced, said openings being in different vertical and different horizontal planes.

31. in a device of the character described, the combination of a hanger secured to the vehicle body, a helical spring, said hanger being pivotally connected with one end of said helical spring, a leaf spring, and a brace and a hanger connecting said leaf spring to the end of said helical spring opposite said iirstmentioned end.

32. in a device of the character described, the combination of a hanger secured to the vehicle body, a helical spring, said hanger being pivotally connected with one end of said helical spring, a leaf spring, and brace and a hanger connecting same to the end of said helical spring opposite said first-men.- tioned end, said brace and said hanger being in rigid connection with said. helical sprin in a device of the character described, the combination of a leaf spring, a helical spring connected at one end to the vehicle body, a hanger therefor rigidly connected to the other end thereof, and a brace rigidly connected to said hanger at said end and, also, to said helical spring at the same end, said brace and said hanger, at the ends opposite said connections, bcing connected wi h said leaf-spring.

3a. in combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary helical spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, and a brace for said. helical spring, said brace comprising a member approximately elliptical in shape attached at its bottom. and top to the helical spring to be braced, and connected, also, to the main spring.

35. In combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, a hanger to su port said auxiliary spring from the vehic e, and a brace for said hangen.

36. In combination with a vehicle, a main s ring, an auxiliary helical spring intermeiate said main spring and said vehicle, a hanger to support said auxiliary spring from the vehicle, and a brace for said hanger.

37. In combination with a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and sai vehicle, a hanger to support said auxiliary s ring from the vehicle, and a brace for sai hanger, said brace being exterior to said auxiliary spring.

38. In combination With a vehicle, a main spring, an auxiliary spring intermediate said main spring and said vehicle, a hanger to support said auxiliary spring from the vehicle, and a brace connecting said hanger to said main spring.

39.- In a device of the character described, the combination of an auxiliary spring, means for attaching same to the vehicle body, means for connecting same to the main spring, said means being, at one end thereof, in pivotal connection with said main spring, and, at the other end, braced therefrom.

40. In a device of the character described, the combination of an auxiliary spring, means for attaching one end of same to thevehicle, means connected to the end of said auxiliary spring opposite said first mentioned end, and means connecting both ends of said second-mentioned means to the main spring of the vehicle.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM YOUNG.

Witnesses:

GLADYS WALTON, ELLIOTT R. GOLDSMITH. 

